Donald Gordon (Canadian businessman)

Donald Gordon (Canadian businessman)

Donald Gordon, CC, CMG (December 11, 1901 – May 2, 1969) was a Canadian businessman and the former President of the Canadian National Railways from 1950 to 1966.

Born in Oldmeldrum, Scotland, he came to Canada at an early age. At the age of 15 he joined the Bank of Nova Scotia in Toronto, becoming assistant chief accountant and assistant manager of the Toronto branch. In 1935, he was appointed Secretary of the Bank of Canada and later became deputy governor. From 1941 to 1947, he was Chairman of the War-Time Prices and Trade Board. From 1950 to 1966, he was the head of the CNR.

He was involved in the controversy over naming the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, after its founding in Montreal. Quebec nationalists wanted it called Château Maisonneuve in honour of Montreal's founder, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve. Gordon decided it should be named for the queen, who had unexpectedly come to the throne in 1952 while the hotel was still on the drawing boards.

He was also involved in a controversy in 1962 when he said that no French-Canadian was enough comptent to be vice-president of the Canadian National Railway.

In 1944, he was made a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. In 1968, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario has honoured Donald Gordon, naming a university residence Donald Gordon House, and its conference centre Donald Gordon Centre. He is a member of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.

External links

Business positions
Preceded by
Robert Charles Vaughan
President of Canadian National Railway
1950 – 1966
Succeeded by
Norman J. MacMillan



Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Donald Gordon — may refer to: Donald Gordon (Canadian businessman) (1901–1969), Bank of Canada and Canadian National Railways executive Donald Gordon (South African businessman), South African businessman and philanthropist Don Gordon (actor), U.S. actor Don… …   Wikipedia

  • Gordon O'Connor — Brigadier General The Honourable Gordon O Connor PC OMM CD MP …   Wikipedia

  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce — Infobox Company company name = Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce company company type = Public company foundation = Toronto, Ontario, Canada , 1867 location = Toronto, Ontario| key people = Gerald T. McCaughey President CEO industry = Bank… …   Wikipedia

  • Scottish Canadian — Infobox Ethnic group group = Scottish Canadians caption = Notable Scottish Canadians: John A. Macdonald, Alexander Mackenzie (prime minister), James Naismith and Sir Alexander Mackenzie (explorer) poptime = Scottish 4,719,850 Canadians 15.10% of… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Companions of the Order of Canada — Companions of the Order of Canada, the highest level of the Order of Canada, have demonstrated the highest degree of merit to Canada and humanity, on the national or international scene. Up to 15 Companions are appointed each year, with a limit… …   Wikipedia

  • New Democratic Party candidates, 2008 Canadian federal election — This is a list of nominated candidates for the New Democratic Party in the 40th Canadian federal election, which resulted in a Conservative minority government.[1] Contents 1 Newfoundland and Labrador 7 seats 2 Prince Edward Island 4 seats …   Wikipedia

  • List of people from Hamilton, Ontario — The following people were born in, residents of, or are otherwise closely connected to the city of Hamilton, Ontario. Arts Architecture and design * Lida Baday, (1957 ), fashion designer. Her namesake label is sold at Holt Renfrew across Canada,… …   Wikipedia

  • Deaths in July 2010 — Contents 1 July 2010 1.1 31 1.2 30 1.3 29 …   Wikipedia

  • Deaths in May 2011 — Contents 1 May 2011 1.1 31 1.2 30 1.3 29 …   Wikipedia

  • List of University of Saskatchewan alumni — Between 1907 and 2007 there have been over 132,200 alumni of the University of Saskatchewan. The alumni feature those who have successfully graduated from a degree, certificate and/or diploma program at the University of Saskatchewan. [cite web… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”